The descriptive text, below the map, is from the Cornish Red Data Book (2009). The map on this web page depicts the organisms distribution and shows the records made pre-2000 and those made since.
Range & Status
Cornwall: 510 pairs probably breed annually, chiefly on the north coast. There are large numbers through autumn and winter on all major estuaries, with smaller numbers scattered on the coast; numbers peak at around 2000 in autumn. The main sites are Camel estuary (up to 600) and Tamar complex (up to 400). Isles of Scilly: good breeding population (150 pairs in 2000) scattered amongst islands, with up to 100 in autumn and winter.
Regional Distribution
Cornwall: some five pairs probably breed annually. Recent breeding reports have
come from reedbeds in the Tamar Valley, Maer Lake, Marazion area and Gunwalloe.
Widespread in winter when may be found in ones and twos in most swampy habitats. Isles of Scilly: winter visitor in small numbers; has bred but no recent records.
Habitat & Ecology
Favours wide estuaries with cockle and mussel beds. Breeds on shingle beaches, inshore islands and even cliff ledges.
Threats
Human disturbance of nesting beaches.
Conservation
Most sites are SSSI. Protected under Annexe 11/2 of the European Union Conservation of Wild Birds Directive.
I.J. Bennallick, S. Board, C.N. French, P.A. Gainey, C. Neil, R. Parslow, A. Spalding and P.E. Tompsett. eds. 2009. Red Data Book for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. 2nd Edition.Croceago Press.
The Cornish Red Data Book Project was led by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation for Biological Recorders (CISFBR). The full text and species accounts (minus the maps) are available on the CISFBR website.